State Advocacy

The MMS advances its advocacy agenda via the executive and legislative branches of Massachusetts state government through legislation, regulation and policymaking.

• Landmark Agreement Between Physicians and Attorneys Provides for Medical Liability Reforms in Massachusetts August 7, 2012

  An agreement between physicians and attorneys in Massachusetts allows for improvements to resolving malpractice cases.

• Section by Section Analysis: Chapter 224 of the Acts Of 2012 August 7, 2012

  MMS section-by-section analysis of "An Act Improving The Quality Of Health Care And Reducing Costs Through Increased Transparency, Efficiency And Innovation," signed into law August 6, 2012

• MMS Overview of Payment Reform Legislation - S.2400 August 3, 2012

  MMS overview of S.2400, "An Act Improving the Quality of Health Care and Reducing Costs Through Increased Transparency, Efficiency and innovation." Passed by the Mass. House and Senate on July 31, 2012.

• MMS Urges Passage of House Version of Prescription Drug Monitoring Bill August 2, 2012

  MMS urges Senate to pass House 4346, An Act Relative to Prescription Drug Diversion, Abuse and Addiction.

• The Legislatures Ambitious Health Care Bill: Steps Forward, and Concerns July 31, 2012

  MMS President comments on the payment reform bill passed by the Massachusetts Legislature on July 31, 2012.

• Massachusetts Medical Society Statement on Health Care Reform Legislation July 31, 2012

  Statement from Richard Aghababian, M.D., president of the Massachusetts Medical Society, in reaction to the Massachusetts state legislature’s passage of health care reform legislation.

• MMS Testimony In Support of Amendments to 114.3 CMR 17.00: Medicine July 23, 2012

  The Massachusetts Medical Society wishes to be recorded in strong support for proposed amendments to existing regulations governing payment to physicians for services to MassHealth recipients.

• MMS Testimony Concerning Proposed Changes to 105 CMR 700 Department of Public Health's Prescription Monitoring Program July 20, 2012

  The MMS is concerned that over the years since their creation the Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Council and the Prescription Monitoring Program Medical Review Group have been underutilized and marginalized.

• Video: Massachusetts Residents Make a Moving Case for Universal Coverage June 29, 2012

  Two Massachusetts residents who benefited from universal coverage in Massachusetts speak eloquently about their experiences at a State House rally with leaders of the Massachusetts health care community.

• Legislative Update: MMS Takes Action On Payment Reform June 29, 2012

  A voluntary transition" and "one size does not fit all" – these are two basic tenets at the heart of the MMS's advocacy on healthcare cost containment and payment reform during the past two years.

• Video: Massachusetts Celebrates the Supreme Courts ACA Ruling June 28, 2012

  Just hours after the U.S. Supreme upheld the constitutionality of the federal health reform law, 16 speakers gathered at a State House event to celebrate the decision.

• Statement of MMS President on Supreme Court Ruling on Health Care Reform Act June 28, 2012

  Physicians in Massachusetts have been strong supporters of our state health reform movement from the beginning.Universal coverage has been better for our patients, and it's been better for the practice of medicine. When people have insurance, they are more likely to get the care they need, when...

• MMS Key Concerns in H. 4155 and S. 2270 House and Senate Payment Reform Legislation June 19, 2012

  Both pieces of legislation seek to require registration of physician groups that take risk citing concerns around practice failures, lack of reinsurance etc. There have been various proposals around the number of physician in a contracting unity that should be exempt from registration.

• Legislative Update: MMS President Opposes Aggressive Cost Reduction Benchmark June 15, 2012

• Legislature Names Conference Committee for Health Care Bill June 14, 2012

  Six state representatives and senators have been named to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate payment reform and cost containment bills.

• Key Similarities and Differences Between the House and Senate Payment Reform Bills June 8, 2012

  A conference committee must reconcile the bills before the Mass. Legislature adjourns on July 31.

• Legislative Update: House Passes Payment Reform Legislation June 8, 2012

  Dispensing with over 250 proposed amendments to the 278 page bill, the House completed its deliberations on healthcare payment reform in one day – one very long day. In the end, the House voted 148-7 to approve H.4127, "An Act Relative to Health Care Quality Improvement and Cost Reduction Act of...

• The Houses Payment Reform Bill Take 2 June 1, 2012

  The House Ways and Means Committee released a revised payment reform bill this week, scheduling debate on the 188-page proposal next week.

• Legislative Update: House Advances Payment Reform Bill June 1, 2012

  The House Ways and Means Committee released a revised healthcare payment reform bill this week, scheduling debate on the 200 page proposal next week.

• MMS Statement on the Release of Senate Payment Reform Legislation May 9, 2012

  Following the release of Senate legislation, MMS statement outlines its principles for final payment reform legislation.